Cox, Joseph and Mary
Images and notes from Mary Beth Simmons-Sierer with contribution from Bob Leathers
In 1879, the lure of the west and the adventure it promised urged him to leave the east and search for newer fields and greater opportunities. He located in the then new and thriving coal mining village of Carbon where he became connected with the Union Pacific Railroad Company in the development of the mines at the place. Later Mr. Cox’s parents and younger brother and sister joined him in their new home where they lived for a number of years. (Mr. Butler, Union Pacific Coal Company)
Joseph "Joe" Cox - Mine Development Supervisor of the Union Pacific Coal Company No. 1 and No. 2 mines in Hanna. (Picture from Mary Beth Simmon-Sierer)
Joseph Cox was a long-time resident of Carbon. When the decision was made to move the coal mines from Carbon to Hanna in 1889, the responsibility of developing the No. 1 and No. 2 mine in Hanna was given to Joseph.
Some historians and geneologists have Joseph Cox as the son of of John and Ann Cox who lived in Hanna and are buried in the Hanna Cemetery, but he is not. He is the son of Richard and Elizabeth Cox. Joseph's father Richard and son Charles (not pictured) are buried in the Carbon Cemetery in graves 110 and 111.
Image taken about 1911 in Colorado. (Seated) Joseph Cox, father, Mary (Smith) Cox, mother (Center) Irene, Dorothy, Alice,
(Back) Lester, Albert, Eva, Roy Joseph Jr. (Image provided by Mary Beth Simmons-Sierer)
Some historians and geneologists have Joseph Cox as the son of of John and Ann Cox who lived in Hanna and are buried in the Hanna Cemetery, but he is not. He is the son of Richard and Elizabeth Cox. Joseph's father Richard and son Charles (not pictured) are buried in the Carbon Cemetery in graves 110 and 111.
Image taken about 1911 in Colorado. (Seated) Joseph Cox, father, Mary (Smith) Cox, mother (Center) Irene, Dorothy, Alice,
(Back) Lester, Albert, Eva, Roy Joseph Jr. (Image provided by Mary Beth Simmons-Sierer)
FAMILY OF JOSEPH AND MARY COX, TAKEN ABOUT 1911. (PICTURE FROM MARY BETH SIMMON-SIERER)
Old Time Union Pacific Coal Company Employee Passes On
By T. H. Butler
Union Pacific Coal Company' Employe's Magazine
The passing of Joseph Cox, at Phoenix, Arizona, on February 22nd, removes from our mist a real pioneer of the coal industry in the west.
Joseph Cox was born at Netherton, Worchestershire, England in the year 1852 and journeyed from his native land with his parents in the year 1865, locating at St. Claire, Pennyslvania.
In 1879, the lure of the west and the adventure it promised urged him to leave the east and search for newer fields and greater opportunities. He located in the then new and thriving coal mining village of Carbon where he became connected with the Union Pacific Railroad Company in the development of the mines at the place. Later Mr. Cox’s parents and younger brother and sister joined him in their new home where they lived for a number of years.
In the year 1889, Mr. Cox was married to Miss Mary Smith, a popular young lady of Carbon.
Joe, as they affectionately called him, demonstrated early in life that he was fitted for leadership and responsibility and held the position of driver boss and mine foreman in the mines at Carbon. He was transferred to Hanna and was placed in charge of the opening of the Hanna mines under the direction of the late L. R. Meyer, then Mine Superintendent at Carbon.
In 1892 Mr. Cox was transferred to Gray Creek, Colorado and had charge of the mines being worked under lease by the Union Pacific Coal Company. At the closing of the Gray Creek mines he entered the service of the Trinidad Fuel Company, as Superintendent of the Forbes and Midway mines and later operated the Jwell mine near Aguilar, Colorado, as part owner.
In the year 1912, Joe quit the mining game and settled on a farm at Hill Rose near Fort Morgan, Colorado, where he resided at the time of his death. He had been enjoying good health until a short time before his death when he commenced to fail and went to Phoenix, Arizona, with the hope that a change would restore him to health. But he continued to fail until death came quietly on February 22, 1927.
His remains were brought to Denver where he was laid away at the Fairmont Cemetery, the beautiful services of the Episcopal Church being used with the Masonic Fraternity in charge.
The passing of our old friend recalls to the writer and other old time residents of Carbon and Hanna his noble character and sterling qualities. We remember him as a man of courage and determination, quick to censure, but of a kind and sympathetic heart and forgiving nature, charitable in every respect. He was a westerner of the old west, a man one was proud to know and call friend. Joseph Cox was a brother of the late Mrs. George Pickering of Rock Springs, and will be remembered by all the old time residents there.
Deceased leaves to mourn his loss, a widow and four daughters; Mrs. Eva Pendleton of Hill Rose, Colorado; Mr. William Buntin of Colorado Springs; and Dorothy and Irene Cox of Hill Rose, Colorado; and four sons: Roy C. Cox of Denver, Colorado; Joseph Cox, Jr. of Pasadena, California, and Bert and Lester Cox of Hill Rose, Colorado; and one brother, Robert Cox, of Hanna, besides a host of friends in Wyoming and Colorado, all of whom extend their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives.
Joseph Cox, on the right, at his coal mine in Aguilar, Colorado (Picture from Mary Beth Simmon-Sierer)
Website Note: The Joseph Cox family and the John Cox family, both from Hanna were not related.